Do we really have to love our jobs?

There seems to be an unspoken pressure for millennials to work for a job that they love. Yes, getting paid for your passion is the ultimate dream but that’s not a reality that everyone lives.

Finding a job is something that we need to do to earn money — that is if we weren’t born with a silver spoon and a truckload of moolah. The need to develop our skills or advance in our careers will come after. If we’re talking about Maslow’s hierarchy, this is probably at the top of the pyramid, with financial security at the second tier. This means that you have to fulfill your basic needs (like food, shelter, clothing, etc.) before you can maximize your full potential.

Think of it this way: finding a job straight out of college is like a half-hearted swipe right on Tinder a week before Valentine’s Day. You only did it so you would have a date, but you’re not 100 percent happy with your decision. But there’s a chance for you to care about — or maybe even love — it. Loving something requires sacrifice and dedication, and this develops through the course of countless experience — both happy and sad.

While loving your job isn’t a requirement, it’s a good bonus for us to step up our games. After all, love and passion amplifies this otherwise dull Earth. What we all need to remember is to keep our happiness and needs in check. If you need financial security, then find a job that will feed your tummy. But if you aspire for something that will feed your soul, then by all means, follow your heart. Love yourself first, and loving your job should come after.